Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

Here come 1,500 racers

By DEMORRIS A. LEE, Times Staff Writer
Published November 7, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Jim Damaske | Times] A group of runners, most of whom are competing in this weekend's Ford Ironman 70.3, get a feel for the Memorial Causeway on Tuesday afternoon. [Douglas R. Clifford | Times (2006)] Swimmers in the third of four starting waves charge into the water to begin last year's Ironman triathlon. There will be 12 waves this year to alleviate congestion.

Saturday's second annual championship has grown to 1,500-plus elite athletes, but it should be less disruptive, organizers say. A three-part strategy aims to minimize traffic headaches.

Change the course: The bike course stretches from Gandy Boulevard nearly to the Pasco County line. A leg on the Courtney Campbell Parkway is gone. This year's course has more right turns, so fewer intersections will be closed.

Spread the word: Avoid McMullen-Booth and Belcher roads and use U.S. 19. Clearwater also has told its neighbors. Most complaints last year came from non-Clearwater residents who were "vaguely aware" of the race, said Kevin Dunbar, Clearwater's parks and recreation director.

Spread the field: Last year, swimmers began the competition in four waves, which created a packed field of cyclists that closed roads. This year, officials hope 12 starting waves will spread the cyclists out, allowing police to let traffic cross the course when there is a gap between competitors. When will roads will be affected? 

For more information, call (727) 562-4636or visit www.myclearwater.com/ironman.

To avoid headaches during Saturday's Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3, keep a few things in mind, officials say. "Stay informed, know where the route is going and have a time frame that allows for delays," Clearwater police Lt. Joseph Young said. "But the best way to help is to stay off the roads during the race."

shuttle in: Spectators who want to watch the race at Clearwater Beach can catch shuttles in downtown and at Sand Key Park. Pier 60 is a good place to watch the swim. The County Courthouse at Court Street and Osceola Avenue in Clearwater is a good spot to watch parts of the bike and run.

where and when: Cycling will start about 7:30 a.m. and will end no later than 1 p.m.

Here's where and when to expect the heaviest bike traffic:

-Fort Harrison Avenue from Chestnut to Drew streets, 7:30 to 9:18 a.m.

-Drew Street from Fort Harrison to Belcher Road, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

-Belcher Road from Drew to Countryside Boulevard, 7:38 to 9:55 a.m.

-Countryside Boulevard from Belcher to Lake St. George, 7:48 to 10:13 a.m.

-Tampa Road from Lake St. George to East Lake, 8 to 10:22 a.m.

- McMullen-Booth Road from Curlew Road to the Bayside Bridge, 8:18 to 11:20 a.m.

- 49th Street from the Bayside Bridge to Park Boulevard, 8:41 to 11:56 a.m.

-Park Boulevard from 49th Street to Belcher Road, 8:49 a.m. to 12:06 p.m.

-Belcher Road from Park Boulevard to Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, 8:55 a.m. to 12:43 p.m.

-Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard from Belcher Road to Clearwater Beach, 9:13 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you drive on race day:

-Police will direct motorists at intersections with traffic signals along the route.

-Yield to cyclists at intersections without signals. Bikes have right-of-way on the course.

-Drivers and cyclists will share multilane roads. Mostly cyclists will be in the outside curb lane and vehicles will travel in the remaining lanes. On McMullen-Booth Road, cyclists will be in the inside median lane, and vehicles will be in the outside lanes.

[Last modified November 7, 2007, 00:34:42]